Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Role of Physical Therapy in ICU Highlighted in Case Study

Available from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the October Web M&M's Spotlight Case, "Mobility Lost in the ICU," written by APTA member Jim Smith, PT, DPT, MA, explains the role of physical therapy in the hospital and intensive care unit (ICU). Smith's commentary features a man who was admitted to the trauma service with severe injuries was transferred to the ICU for mechanical ventilation. After 6 weeks of hospitalization, the patient's initial shoulder injury progressed to involve significantly limited mobility and pain, prompting concern that physical therapy should have been initiated earlier. Smith's commentary also includes proposed system changes and take-home points for physical therapists.

A PowerPoint presentation of the case study also is available on AHRQ's Web site.

Comments

Hi,
Mr. Smith, I am an aspiring physical therapy assistant, about to be axcepted into the program. My pre-requisite is to interview a PT, just to have a glue of what the demands are and make a report. Could you help me?
1. First questions, what attitude should have towards your patients?
2. What are your expected behavior towards your co-worker?
3. In this field, as a student what do you expect as a therapist in this program?
4. What salary do one expect matching years of experience?

Posted by Raphael Essoh
on 10/13/2011 2:53 PM

Thanks for your thoughtful response to this case. We need to continue to increase the awareness of not just the general public but other health care professionals of what PT can offer in the ICU and acute care setting.

Posted by Patricia Gillette
on 10/16/2011 10:43 AM

Thanks for this post, spreading awareness of the benefits of PT's is very important. This is such a noble profession and we need more PT's!